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New Delhi: The second ODI of the three-match series between India and New Zealand was held at Rajkot’s Narendra Modi Stadium on January 14. New Zealand defeated India by 7 wickets, leveling the series 1-1. India, after losing the toss, batted first and set a target of 285 runs. However, the Kiwi team chased it down in 47.3 overs, thanks to key contributions that India failed to contain. Here’s a look at the five Indian players whose performances fell short and impacted the match outcome: 1. Kuldeep YadavIndia’s left-arm wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, proved expensive in the middle overs. Expected to play a crucial role, he ended with figures of 1 wicket for 82 runs in 10 overs, allowing New Zealand to build momentum. 2. Prasidh KrishnaPace bowler Prasidh Krishna also struggled in R...

In the second ODI between India and New Zealand at Rajkot, Rohit Sharma could not play a big innings, scoring just 24 runs off 38 balls before being caught by Will Young off Christian Clarke’s delivery. Despite this, Rohit has overtaken former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin in the list of most runs scored by Indian batsmen against New Zealand in ODIs. Rohit Sharma’s bat has failed to fire in both matches of this series against New Zealand. In the Rajkot match, he struggled to find his rhythm and couldn’t build a substantial innings. Attempting to loft a full-length delivery over the covers, Rohit misjudged the shot and offered a catch to Will Young after scoring 24 runs, including 4 boundaries. Record-Breaking MilestoneDespite the modest score, Rohit Sharma surpassed Mohammad Azh...

Rajkot: Virat Kohli continues to rewrite the record books in ODI cricket, leaving legends like Sachin Tendulkar behind. In the second ODI against New Zealand at Rajkot today (14 January), Kohli broke another iconic record with just his first run of the match. Becomes India’s Highest Run-Scorer vs New ZealandWith that first run, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer for India against New Zealand in ODIs. Tendulkar had amassed 1,750 runs in 42 ODIs against the Kiwis. Kohli had needed 93 runs at the start of the series to equal Sachin’s tally and achieved this with a 93-run innings in the first ODI at Vadodara. This had put both batting legends jointly at the top. However, with his first run in Rajkot, Kohli has now taken the solo No. 1 position. Eyes on Cent...

Virat Kohli has once again ascended to the top of the ICC ODI rankings, reclaiming the No. 1 spot for the first time since July 2021. The 37-year-old had to displace his teammate Rohit Sharma, who now sits at No. 3 in the latest rankings announced on Wednesday. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has moved up to No. 2 after a stellar innings against India in Vadodara. Kohli Edges Out Mitchell by Just 1 PointWhile Kohli has returned to the summit of ODI cricket, the race is extremely close. Kohli leads Mitchell by just one rating point, with 785 points to Mitchell’s 784. The ongoing India-New Zealand ODI series will play a key role in determining the rankings, with the performances in today’s (14 January) second ODI and the third ODI likely to decide who retains the top position. India’s Dom...

Bollywood’s popular dancer and actress Nora Fatehi is once again in the spotlight, this time for her rumored relationship with Moroccan football star and national team captain Achraf Hakimi. The rumors gained traction after Nora was spotted supporting Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations, sparking discussions on social media about their possible connection. Seen Together at Nations CupNora, who is six years older than Hakimi, recently traveled to Morocco to cheer for the national team at an Africa Cup of Nations match. She shared celebratory moments on her Instagram story after Morocco’s victory. Fans speculated that her presence at the match was not just professional but possibly personal, further fueled when Reddit users noticed Hakimi liking one of her Instagram posts during the ...

As India prepares to host the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, controversy has continued to swirl around teams’ participation. Earlier, Bangladesh refused to send its squad citing security concerns. Now, a social media post by US fast bowler Ali Khan, who is of Pakistani origin, has sparked a fresh debate. The Viral ClaimAli Khan posted on his Instagram story on Tuesday, claiming that India had denied visas to US players of Pakistani origin for the T20 World Cup. The screenshot of this story quickly went viral on social media, causing confusion and speculation. What Actually HappenedTo understand the situation, it’s important to note the standard visa process for international players participating in the World Cup. According to a media report citing an official involved in the visa process, ...

Despite being repeatedly selected for India in the absence of Hardik Pandya, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has only played 2 ODIs and 4 T20Is so far. Questions are now being raised about why he continues to be overlooked in the playing XI. Gambhir Points Out Disconnect Between Selectors and ManagementAhead of the second ODI against New Zealand, former cricketer and team analyst Akash Chopra criticized Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir over Reddy’s limited opportunities. “If Nitish is being selected, he should be given a chance to play in the XI. Otherwise, picking him only to sit on the bench makes no sense,” Chopra said. He added, “Despite being part of squads across formats, Nitish’s exclusion shows a lack of alignment between the selectors and the team management. It also rais...

Amid India’s ongoing series against New Zealand, Ayush Badoni has been drafted into the national squad, raising eyebrows and sparking debates about the team’s selection choices. Many questioned why players like Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh were overlooked. Why Was Ayush Badoni Selected?India’s team management has clarified that Badoni’s inclusion was prompted by Washington Sundar’s injury. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, ahead of the second ODI, explained the rationale behind the decision. “Badoni has performed impressively in opportunities with India A as well as in the IPL,” Kotak said. “He is a suitable replacement for Washington Sundar, as he is also a handy right-arm off-break bowler.” Kotak added, “He is in form and performing consistently. He has played some one-day matches...

New Delhi: In cricket, the No. 3 position is widely regarded as the anchor of the batting lineup, and scoring consistently from this spot is crucial. Indian superstar Virat Kohli is on the verge of breaking a major record in this role during the ongoing India vs New Zealand ODI series in Rajkot. Kohli needs just 133 more runs to surpass Australian legend Ricky Ponting and become the highest run-scorer in ODIs at No. 3. Here’s a look at the top five run-getters at No. 3 in ODI cricket: 1. Ricky Ponting – Australia Matches/Pinnings at No. 3: 335/330 Runs: 12,662 Average: 42.48 Centuries/Fifties: 29/74 The former Australian captain, known as “Punter,” played most of his career at No. 3. He led Australia to two World Cup titles, consistently anchoring the innings with sk...

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is in sensational form and is on the verge of creating a new milestone in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in Rajkot, Kohli has the chance to become the first Indian player to score 50 or more in six consecutive ODIs, surpassing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane. Kohli in Red-Hot FormKohli’s excellent form has been evident in recent matches. He began this streak in the last ODI against Australia in Sydney, and continued it in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, scoring a brilliant 93 runs off 91 balls, which included 8 fours and 1 six, at a strike rate above 100. Matching the GreatsWith five consecutive 50+ scores in ODIs, Kohli has already e...